’Prominent loyalist’ Mark Haddock arrested over three UVF murders

A man has been arrested in southern England by detectives investigating loyalist paramilitary murders in Northern Ireland.

The 45-year-old suspect is being questioned at Newbury police station in Berkshire.

Gary Convie

It’s understood the suspect is loyalist Mark Haddock.

He was detained by the PSNI as part of an investigation into UVF killings.

Workmen Gary Convie, 24, and Eamon Fox, 44, were sitting in their car at a building site in North Queen Street in Belfast on May 17 1994 when a gunman opened fire with a submachine gun.

Sean McParland, 55, was shot in Skegoniel Avenue in north Belfast on February 17 1994 while babysitting. He died a week later.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: “Today’s arrest is part of Operation Stafford, an investigation into a series of murders and other serious crimes by the UVF in north Belfast.”

Mr Fox and Mr Convie were Catholic builders from County Armagh who were attacked while eating their lunch in a car parked close to their building site. Mr Fox had six children, while Mr Convie was a father of one.